A recent prosecution by the Health & Safety Executive shows that it’s not just the incident itself that can lead to a prosecution, but also how the reporting of the incident is handled.
The Magistrates Court heard how an employee of a sash restoration company fell through an unprotected skylight while replacing sash windows on a large manor house, breaking his wrist in the process. The HSE concluded that not only was the work not adequately planned to take account of the risk of working near to a fragile surface, but the incident was not reported under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Disease and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) 2013. The incident only came to the attention of the HSE following a query from an unnamed source. The company director of a sash restoration company has been fined for safety failings after a worker fell three metres through an unprotected skylight.
Salisbury Magistrates’ Court heard how on the 14 July 2014, an employee of the Sash Restoration Company (Dorset) Limited fell through an unprotected skylight while replacing sash windows on a large manor house, breaking his wrist when landing.
After pleading guilty to an offence under Regulation 9(2) or the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and Regulation 4(1) of RIDDOR, the director of the company was fined a total of £3,300 with costs of £1,526.
Assessing risks and providing suitable training to help prevent accidents at work are the core of Health & Safety law and should be at the forefront of any companies H&S management. But it’s just as important to make sure you follow the laws regarding the reporting of incidents. Park City’s consultants work with you every step of the way, not just to help you prevent accidents, but also to guide you through the correct procedures should the unfortunate happen.
